Required to extend enlistment? (long)

[Bubbagimp]

This is more of a vent, but any input would be welcome.

Stunaz notes:
Navy gave me asthma
I HAVE to get new job
New job requires me to extend past EAOS 1-2 years
BOHICA


Prior to the Navy I worked in computer networking/security for a while. I was good at the job and enjoyed it, but thought I would serve my country after the whole 9/11 bit. So I signed with the Navy in '03 on a 6 year commitment. If you've ever dealt with a recruiter, you know how they can twist words to make you believe almost anything. Well against my original wishes of joining in a computer related field I ended up a nuclear mechanic and ELT, doing chemistry and work controls on radioactive systems on a submarine.

Now fast forward to a bit over a year ago. I started having asthma attacks underway. I was put in a non-deployable status for further testing. Right before the submarine deploys I fail some breathing tests but they put me back to deployable and I go on a 6 month deployment. My first doctor appointment post-deployment a new doctor reviews the test results and puts me back to non-deployable. They blatantly ignore medical practices, in my opinion, because my rate is severely undermanned and they needed me to go underway. I work with the boat through the decommissioning and the last week of the decom (a year and a half since first asthma attack) I am officially diagnosed with asthma and they send out a submarine disqualification letter. Because a submarine doesn't carry a doctor onboard (only a coreman, think nurse for civilians)

So I've been putting up with the standard navy runaround now for 4 months and my package finally comes back and I've been removed from my nuclear billet. They say my exposure to the chemicals I work with caused my asthma. So I'm getting a force rate conversion, meaning I have to pick a new job.

I found a rate that was created in '04 doing computer networking and security, however, I am only qualified to convert to certain rates based on my last rate. So I may not qualify to apply. My current EAOS is a year and a half away, and I was told a force rate conversion has a time commitment depending on the rate you choose. None are 1.5 years or less. If I was to get the computer networking rate, I would have no problem extending for the required amount of time because that is the field I will be in when I get out of the navy. It comes with TS/SCI (currently secret) and it carries over into future job hunting.

Because the likelihood of me getting this rate is slim, I started checking out my options to minimize my time in. At my current EAOS I'll be 29 when I get out....and just starting my civilian career. The navy is now trying to tell me, because all the rates I am eligible for have lengthy time requirements I may be required to serve an EXTRA 1-2 years on my contract to fulfill my rate conversion obligations. Even though the reason for my rate conversion was out of my control.

I'll be honest and say since I showed up to my first command I've never really been a big navy fan. But that's mainly due to being an ELT. 100 hour workweeks were not unheard of (while non-deployed.) I did them for 3 months straight at one point. My division had no chief (E-7 or above) so my evals were always in the lower 50% (my whole division was.) Even after 2.5 years onboard carrying a large load of the divisional duties. I'm willing to keep an open mind with a new rate, but this is really starting to piss me off.

[711michaelR6]

dude. that sucks. so you are going to be a CTN? you should be able to have the option to get discharged if you have a condition that prevents you from doing your job. i have a co-worker going through something similar. and she is also has the option to go CTN, serve the rest of her enlistment doing random tasks around base, or she might be able to get discharged.

[Bubbagimp]

Yeah, I'll be applying for CTN. Problem is, all my navy schooling is mechanical related. So they're hesitant to let me near computers. As for doing BS jobs around the base, that's what I've been doing for 4 months now. For the first month I was supervising people sweep floors. At least now I'm sitting a cushy desk job. Once every 3 days I stand a 12 hour midwatch....that's it. All I do is answer the phone and monitor the computer. Other than that I watch movies all night. And if I'm not on watch I'm at home. Yes, your tax dollars hard at work.

Keep me updated on how that girl does. They haven't told me about a discharge option but if they deny me CTN I'll be pushing the discharge pretty damn hard.